Shelby County Council approves tax abatement for possible Danone facility that could be more than 500,000 square feet for manufacturing, storage

The company asked and received a tax abatement from the council with a 7-0 vote after Falleroni provided details on the possible facility.

While there are no final plans, he said, the company is considering investing up to $300 million. The specific figure at the moment is $290 million, but that could change, he said.

“A lot of this is still evolving everyday,” said Falleroni, who was hired by the company as the site selector.

The average wages at Danone are $25 an hour, excluding benefits. Benefits are offered and are about 40 percent over the hourly wage.

The new site would “help alleviate some supply chain consideration that are existing right now,” Falleroni went onto say.

Danone sells its products in more than 120 countries and has more than 100,000 employees in more than 55 countries. That includes 6,000 employees in North America.

The company is known for products such as Silk soy milk, Activia yogurt and evian water.

Ninety percent of its products are considered healthy under U.S. law and 81 percent of its packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable, according to its website.

Brian Asher, executive director of the Shelby County Development Corporation, said on Wednesday that there was no time frame for when Danone will select the site.